TBHQ (tert-Butylhydroquinone)

tBHQ strongly increases IgE sensitization to ovalbumin (OVA) with a concurrent increase in plasma IgG1 concentrations ... Nrf2 expression in CD4+ T cells is critical to sensitization and anaphylaxis in response to food allergen ... mMCP-1 response to OVA challenge was 3-fold greater in mice on the tBHQ diet.

In a mouse model, dietary tBHQ amplified IgE allergic sensitization, mast-cell activation, and anaphylaxis to a food allergen via the Nrf2 transcription factor in CD4+ T cells.

The antioxidant preservative tert-butylhydroquinone (TBHQ) showed activity both in ToxCast assays and in classical immunological assays, suggesting that it may affect the immune response in people.

A peer-reviewed analysis found TBHQ active in both EPA ToxCast high-throughput assays and classical immune assays, indicating it may affect human immune responses (e.g., altered T/B-cell and NK-cell function).

The food additive TBHQ may be safely used in food in accordance with the following prescribed conditions ... It is used as an antioxidant alone or in combination with BHA and/or BHT ... The total antioxidant content of a food containing the additive will not exceed 0.02 percent of the oil or fat content of the food.

FDA regulation permits TBHQ as a food antioxidant, alone or with BHA/BHT, capped so total antioxidant content does not exceed 0.02% of the food's oil or fat content.